Long time Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher is gone from the team, and according to owner Bud Adams quarterback Vince Young is on his way out too. Of course that could all change with the departure of the head coach who was constantly riding the underwhelming Young. The team invested a lot of time, energy and greenbacks into the unfulfilled promise of VY.
What's intriguing at this juncture is the amount of interest both by fans and teams alike in a player who has had a subpar and oft-injured journey of real and fantasy irrelevancy.
Despite all of the reports out there about Young's lack of work ethic, and him being a diva, there is no question that he can still play the game better than most quarterbacks in the league.
The question remains, are the skills that made him the third pick in the 2006 draft ever going to make an appearance at the pro level. Can he succeed on another team or under a different coach. One way or another we're likely to find out in 2011.
Dismiss him as we may in fantasy circles he does manage to win more games than he loses. His career record of 30-17 looks mighty inviting. Still, he's never been a big play guy, and he seems to squeak by most of the time.
In 2010, VY was saddled with a thumb injury which prematurely ended his season. However, Young seemed to be on course for a career year. But that is always the case for VY. In fact, he hasn't played a full season yet, and has failed to start more than 10 games every season since 2007. He's managed just 19 starts over the last 48 regular season games.
So who is going to want this guy? Here are a dozen teams tied to Young's rumor mill so far.
Tennessee Titans ~ Despite all the grumbling and fanfare over his performance and now his imminent departure, owner Bud Adams may want to rethink casting him away. Jeff Fisher was never really a VY fan, and perhaps under a new coach he could prove to be better than we've seen. It would be awfully painful for Adams to move him and have him pay deep dividends elsewhere.
Buffalo Bills ~ Let's be honest, Ryan Fitzpatrick is not the answer at quarterback, and at this point the Bills will be looking at any arm attached to a breathing body. This doesn't seem like a good fit for Young though, who would surely struggle to find success on a team lacking in so many other places. The same holds true for the Carolina Panthers.
Cincinnati Bengals ~ Carson Palmer wants out and the team is likely to honor his request if they can move his fat contract. This is one team that could give Young a real chance to erupt, or at least refresh his withering career.
Miami Dolphins ~ We've been hearing their name tied to Kevin Kolb and every other potential free agent or piece of QB trade bait on the market. There is no doubt the Fins need to upgrade at QB, but is Young even an upgrade at this point?
Minnesota Vikings ~ This rumor's been floating around the longest. Favre is gone and the team really has no solution in the wings. Young would immediately have an arsenal of weapons at his disposal, and of all the teams he could go to this may be the only one that gives him a fantasy pulse in 2011.
Arizona Cardinals ~ While we may hear more of this rumor, I don't envision Young playing in the desert in 2011. He has too many character flaws and injury concerns for this franchise to take a leap of faith in. In fact I could make this same argument for several other teams on the west coast rumored to have interest; San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks. Though if any of them were to take the chance it would likely be Pete Carroll and the Seasquabs.
Philadelphia Eagles ~ The Eagles are going to move Kevin Kolb, and backing Mike Vick up with a guy who could step right in if needed would be an excellent move. In the meantime it would give VY a wealth of on field education from the resurgent Vick.
Washington Redskins ~ Well the Donovan McNabb project turned out to be a bust. Daniel Snyder is the king of taking big risks. So why not. However I think he might clash with coach Mike Shanahan just as McNabb did.
The most likely job for Young in 2011 will be a back-up role or on a desperate team. Regardless of where he ends up, his fantasy value is arguably going to remain minimal except as a back-up or #2 option. Only a move to the Vikings may prove that wrong.
